…Puts Affiliates On Red Alert
Suleiman Mustapha
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it has put all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on alert over the recent arrest of its president Joe Ajaero.
The NLC, in a statement signed by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, described the situation as “ troubling development,’’ saying the Congress has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Ajaero, who was arrested by security agents on Monday.
He said, “In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert.
The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon. Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero.’’
“Ajaero has been detained and his whereabouts or his state of health are yet to be ascertained as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.
“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Ajaero is not a fugitive.
“His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.”
Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.
